Massage activities in Thailand
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A
Wat Pho Thai Traditional Medical and Massage School
Associated with the nearby temple of the same name, this pint-sized institute offers basic and advanced courses in traditional massage; basic courses offer 30 hours spread out over five days and cover either general massage or foot massage. The advanced level spans 60 hours, requires the basic course as a prerequisite, and covers therapeutic and healing massage. Other advanced courses include oil massage and aromatherapy, and infant and child massage. The school is outside the temple compound in a restored Bangkok shophouse at the end of unmarked Soi Phen Phat; look for Coconut Palm restaurant.
reviewed
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Sima Massage
Across from Tropicana Resort, and regarded by locals as the best massage on the island – quite an accolade in a place where a massage is easier to find than a 7-Eleven.
reviewed
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B
Massage Pavilions
These two air-conditioned săh·lah (pavilions) near the eastern entrance to the temple grounds are run by the school affiliated with Wat Pho, which is the country’s primary training centre for Thai traditional massage. The menu is short but the quality is guaranteed, and after a day of temple sightseeing it’s hard to think of a better way to cool down and chill out.
reviewed
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C
Lek Chaiya
Khun Lek learned jàp sên (literally 'nerve touch'), a northern Thai massage technique akin to acupressure, from her mother and became a well-known practitioner before retiring and passing the business and the technique on to her son. Courses last from three to five days and cover about 50% of a traditional Thai massage course with the remainder dedicated to the nerve-touch technique and herbal therapies. To experience jàp sên, stop in for a massage either from an assistant (550B) or from Lek's son Jack (950B).
reviewed
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D
Pai Traditional Thai Massage
This long-standing and locally owned outfit offers very good northern-Thai massage, as well as a sauna (cool season only) where you can steam yourself in sà·mŭn·prai (medicinal herbs). Three-day massage courses begin every Monday and Friday and last three hours per day. The friendly couple that do the massages and teach the course are accredited and are graduates of Chiang Mai's Old Medicine Hospital.
A few local businesses near Tha Pai Hot Springs have taken advantage of the healing thermal waters.
reviewed
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E
Old Medicine Hospital
The curriculum is very traditional, with a northern-Thai slant, and was one of the first to develop massage training for foreigners. There are two 10-day massage courses a month, as well as shorter foot and oil massage courses. Classes tend to be large from December to February, but smaller the rest of the year.
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F
Ruen-Nuad Massage Studio
Set in a refurbished wooden house, this charming place successfully avoids both the tackiness and New Agedness that characterise most Bangkok massage joints. Prices are approachable, too.
reviewed
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Si Chang Healing House
Offers massage and beauty treatments (400B to 800B) in a garden labyrinth opposite Pan & David Restaurant.
reviewed
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G
Chetawan Thai Traditional Massage School
Bangkok's Wat Pho massage school established the Chiang Mai branch outside of town near Rajabhat University.
reviewed
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H
Samakhom Samunphrai Phak Neua
Next to Wat Hua Khuang in the Wiang Neua area, accessible via Th Pamaikhet, this rustic place offers traditional northern-Thai massage and herbal saunas. A motorcycle taxi ride here should cost about 20B.
reviewed
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I
Phae Hatha Thai Massage
Relaxation takes an entirely new form at this Thai massage centre housed on a floating raft.
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J
Thai Massage Shops
Several places at the far eastern end of Th Talad Gao offer Thai massage for about 150B per hour.
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K
Divana Massage & Spa
Divana retains a unique Thai touch with a private and soothing setting in a garden house.
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Asia Herb Association
Phrom Phong Sawastdi Thong Lor With several branches along Th Sukhumvit, this Japanese-owned chain specialises in massage using þrà·kóp, traditional Thai herbal compresses filled with 18 different herbs.
reviewed